Azerbaijan, Baku. 18 April / corr. Trend K. Ramazanova/ Russia's approach to Abkhazia and South Ossetia problem can further deteriorate situation in the region, Matias Eorsh, PACE (Parliament Assembly of Council of Europe) reporter on Georgia said.
On 17 April, Russian president Vladimir Putin instructed the government to provide material aid to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Apart from this, the statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry said that a mechanism should be set up for a comprehensive protection of rights, freedoms and legal interests of Russian citizens living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
"Such moves are targeted at splitting Georgia and it is an intervention into the internal affairs of South Caucasian country," PACE reporter said to Trend on a telephone from Strasbourg.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a part of Georgia as Chechnya is a part of Russia, therefore Russia's policy in this regard is not right, Eorsh said.
The Georgia Foreign Ministry described the moves by Russia as an attempt to annex Georgia's regions.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer expressed his anxiety over the statement by Russian Foreign Ministry concerning Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He reminded of the fact that the Alliance member states supported the territorial integrity of Georgia in Bucharest summit. Meanwhile, Russia's attempts to establish official ties with the self-declared republics undermine Georgia' sovereignty. NATO Secretary General summoned Moscow to avoid such steps.
The U.S. supports territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and tries to find out the reasons compelling Russia to make the recent moves concerning Abkhazia and South Ossetia. EU has already announced its support for Georgia and its commitment to its territorial integrity.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, former parts of Georgia SSR, declared their independence after demise of USSR. They have been striving for recognition of their independence while Georgia considers them to be its constituent part and offers them a large autonomy.
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